There is a state of change happening within NZ motorsport circuit racing and this coming season spectators will see a number of significant alterations to a formula that has worked very well for some years. It is not all bad with some great opportunities for teams, drivers and fans. The result of this evolving to a new level is that the Toyota Racing Series (TRS) has the opportunity to provide the best fields, talent and racing for spectators to see over the summer period.
Coming into their eighth successive season TRS arguably had its best season last year when it had a record number of overseas drivers (nine) competing alongside locals in the international series. The talent was fantastic and the eyes of the global motor racing world were more focussed on this series.
This summer they plan to have five race weekends in a row, which is a first for the series. This is a huge attraction for the yet to be confirmed overseas contingent. Now there is the potential to have record fields comprising some of the world’s best rising talent. No doubt competitors from last year will have gone home extolling the merits of coming down under.
What has become apparent is that TRS is very attractive for drivers preparing for the northern hemisphere racing season, particularly the likes of British and European Formula Renault and F3 classes which get underway in late March. The track time available in NZ is immeasurable when European tracks are either under snow or very cold. Drivers have the ability to head into their European campaigns ‘match fit’ and race ready.
Coupled with this is that single-seater racing in New Zealand is regarded as very affordable compared with racing in Europe. It is difficult to get five weekends in a row of racing anywhere.
But what of the New Zealand V8 series? The NZV8s is the premier class in the country and V8 racing will continue to attract the crowds. While single-seater racing is arguably the purest form of motorsport and will always attract ardent motorsport followers it is the bang, crash and spectacle of the V8s that draw in a wider audience.
But currently there is a division within the V8 ranks with a new V8 SuperTourers class starting up in February in competition to the NZV8s.
The split has come about due to two separate camps taking different directions as they try to attain the same end result, moving to a more modern car and aligning more with the Australian V8 Supercars championship.
This article is not about this split, merely about what spectators can anticipate this summer. NZ Herald motorsport writer Eric Thompson covers this well in his article Country only big enough for one V8 series.
Splits within any sport have never had a positive outcome and this one has the potential to dilute the V8 racing scene while opening the door for more attractive classes to shine. There is no doubt that V8 fields will be depleted this summer as a consequence of what is happening in this class.
The Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge has come to an end with the announcement over the winter that this very successful class has finished due to an anticipated lack of sponsors and smaller fields.
Formula Ford organisers also anticipate smaller fields in its current form and have already made moves to change regulations which will attract more cars out of their garages.
With great fields in the Suzuki Swift championship and the rise of V8 Utes spectators will still get their ‘fill’ this coming season.
But look to the Toyota Racing Series which may take the limelight by both default and the hard work that has been invested by their management in globally promoting the class.
